What tests are needed to confirm lung cancer?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 39-year-old woman who has never smoked but was recently told that I have a suspicious lung nodule. I am confused about how lung cancer can develop in people who do not smoke.

Could air pollution, secondhand smoke, or genetic factors play a role?
What tests are needed to confirm whether it is cancer?
I also feel anxious while waiting for the biopsy results. How common is lung cancer in younger women like me?

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com

I understand why this situation feels worrying. You are feeling anxious as you are not sure what your lung cancer report says? It is completely normal to feel anxious while waiting for answers. Please know that many people experience this kind of concern after a scan result, and most lung nodules turn out to be harmless.

A lung nodule simply means a small spot seen on a scan. In many cases, especially in younger people, these nodules are non-cancerous. Lung cancer can occasionally occur in people who have never smoked. While smoking remains the biggest risk factor, other factors can also contribute. Long-term exposure to air pollution, secondhand smoke, indoor smoke from cooking fuels, or certain environmental substances may increase the risk. In some non-smokers, particularly women, lung cancer may also develop due to genetic changes in lung cells over time without a clear external cause. However, infections, old healed inflammation, or benign growths are much more common causes of lung nodules.

To understand what the nodule represents, doctors carefully evaluate the size, shape, and appearance of the nodule on a CT scan. Sometimes, a repeat CT scan after a few months is recommended to see if the nodule changes over time. If the nodule appears more suspicious or is above a certain size, further evaluation may include a PET-CT scan to assess how metabolically active it is. In some cases, a biopsy may be needed, where a small tissue sample is taken using a CT-guided needle, bronchoscopy, or occasionally surgery. A biopsy is the test that ultimately confirms whether a nodule is cancerous or not.

If you feel comfortable sharing, knowing the size of the nodule and the details mentioned in the CT report about its appearance can help provide a clearer idea of how concerning it may be and what the usual next step might be.

Kindly revert if there are any queries.

Thank you.